The Washington Wizards gave Bradley Beal one of the worst contracts in NBA history.
Not only did they overpay for his services, but adding a no-trade clause to the mix was also a head-scratcher.
The Wizards suffered from that decision for years, even when they finally managed to find a trade partner.
Beal could essentially handpick his next destination, thus hampering their ability to get equal value.
Now, the Phoenix Suns are going through the same situation.
Beal hasn’t matched his salary with his production, and he’s aging and injury-prone.
That’s why it’s not much of a surprise to hear that the Suns will go to great lengths to finally move on from him.
According to a report by Jonathan Gambadoro (via Evan Sidery), the Suns will buy him out if they can’t find a trade suitor.
The Suns plan to trade or buyout Bradley Beal this offseason, per @Gambo987 (https://t.co/uP8PZqNQU3).
If bought out, which would be the first ever for a max contract player, Beal would need to cooperate with Phoenix to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/8XEh7BY1FX
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 23, 2025
That would be the first time a max-contract player gets bought out.
However, the report also adds that Beal would have to cooperate with the team to make that happen, and that’s when things get tricky.
Beal has been unbothered by the criticism and the trade rumors, and he’s not going to waive his no-trade clause unless he goes to a favorable situation.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to believe any contending team will even consider acquiring his $53 million salary after watching how that has played out for the Wizards and Suns.
Beal still has $110 million left in his contract, and, unfortunately for the Suns, he has every right to collect every single penny from that deal.
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